Spruce Up Your Space with Hanging Indoor Plants

The bird’s nest fern has vivid green, blade-like leaves with rippled and crinkled edges. Its center of fronds grows in a rosette formation, creating a shape like a bird’s nest. It grows well in moist, but not wet, well-draining potting mix. The bird’s nest fern prefers indirect sunlight or shade and a warm, humid atmosphere such as the kitchen or bathroom. Be sure to water around the plant's base. Try placing this plant on a board to hang on a wall for a unique display.

Pitcher plants make a distinctive addition to any indoor space. Hanging these plants in baskets is the best way to grow them, as they love plenty of air circulation. Pitcher plants do well in light, well-draining soil that is nutrient-poor but high in organic matter such as coconut fiber or orchid mix. Your pitcher plant will likely require humid air, high temperatures, and full sun. Some varieties grow at cooler temperatures, however. Water it frequently from above and mist it every day.

Burro’s tail is a small succulent also known as lamb’s tail, horse’s tail, or monkey tail. Some varieties can produce stems three or four feet long; a dwarf version grows about half as big. Burro’s tail thrives in direct sunlight or in a sunny window. A burro’s tail is a great plant for the forgetful plant lover. It grows well in sandy soil. Unlike most succulents, they need regular, deep watering throughout the growing season. Shriveling leaves are a signal to quench its thirst.

Peperomia plants are known for their ornamental foliage. They rarely grow more than 12 inches in height indoors, making them well suited for containers and small indoor spaces. The plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Most varieties of peperomia do well with low humidity levels and little watering. Of course, this depends on what kind of peperomia you own. A well-draining potting mix of perlite and peat moss can help you avoid overwatering your plant.

Whether spiky, fuzzy, or tailing, air plants are tiny and easy to maintain. They don’t need soil; you can hang them with fishing line, attach one to a piece of wood for a wall display, or place some in an enclosed terrarium to hang. Air plants like bright, filtered light and temperatures between the 50s and 90s Fahrenheit. Submerge them in rainwater or bottled water for a few hours once a week. Add epiphyte fertilizer to the water monthly.

The Boston fern’s elegant fronds make it an attractive houseplant that hangs well. These fronds can grow up to three feet, depending on the variety. Boston ferns prefer moderate warmth, humidity, and soil conditions to thrive. Most Boston ferns need bright but indirect light. Keep the root ball moist at all times by misting with water. These plants need a good-draining, loamy soil with some organic material. Feed your fern with slow-release pellets or liquid during the growing season.

The quirky string of pearls can be right at home on a sunny windowsill as it loves bright light. It needs to hang with plenty of room for its tendrils, This succulent does well in average indoor temperatures, around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose a pot with a drainage hole and use a potting mix for cacti. When watering, soak the soil through and water again when the topsoil has dried out. This plant can be toxic, so keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

The string of nickels or button orchid plant is a tropical, climbing succulent. A half a day of filtered light is ideal; water it well if you keep this plant in full sunlight. A string of nickels does well in standard room temperatures. The string of nickels plants grow best in an epiphytic mix and coconut husk as a growing medium. They need consistent moisture and high humidity; mist every day or place on a pebble tray with water.

Trailing jade is also called weeping jade or vining jade. In a hanging container, its stems can cascade down as much as eight feet. This plant prefers bright indoor light and room temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Trailing jade grows well in a well-draining pot and sandy soil with at least 50% inorganic matter such as pumice or perlite. Add enough water for it to flow out the drainage hole and rewater when the soil has dried. A healthy plant will likely have to be repotted into a container too big to hang.

Understanding what kinds of plants will thrive in your space is important to ensure thriving foliage. First, think about where you want to place your plant. Choose one that can thrive in the lighting available. Consider the plant’s maximum size in height and spread. Next, assess the temperature and airflow of your space. Most houseplants are tropical and need warm, humid environments.